The Grinder stats generally represent about 10-20% of the writing population, anecdotally speaking.

However... Flame Tree have a habit of sending acceptances first, rejections after (you can see the pattern on the recent responses on the Grinder). So I suspect those of us who have not yet heard anything are not likely to hear good news :(

MattDovey wrote:However... Flame Tree have a habit of sending acceptances first, rejections after (you can see the pattern on the recent responses on the Grinder).

Yeah, this is a procedure that I really don't understand...

As someone who helps run a small press, we send out rejections on stories that we know we can't use fairly quickly. But every so often, we hang on to a small handful of "just in case" stories--ones we would happily accept if we had the space, which means one of our other choices not panning out. It's REALLY rare, but we've had a couple of authors not agree with our publication terms or some other aspect of the process, and decide to pull their story.

MattDovey wrote:However... Flame Tree have a habit of sending acceptances first, rejections after (you can see the pattern on the recent responses on the Grinder).

Yeah, this is a procedure that I really don't understand...

As someone who helps run a small press, we send out rejections on stories that we know we can't use fairly quickly. But every so often, we hang on to a small handful of "just in case" stories--ones we would happily accept if we had the space, which means one of our other choices not panning out. It's REALLY rare, but we've had a couple of authors not agree with our publication terms or some other aspect of the process, and decide to pull their story.

I certainly understand that. I'm editor-in-chief of Empyreome Magazine, so I get the whole idea of holding stories for consideration and the occasional withdrawal. However, I know of some magazines that consistently send out acceptances quickly (often within days or weeks) but wait to send out rejections much later (months to a year). This seems to be a questionable practice.

I never actually heard back on my story that got rejected. I figured they probably wouldn't accept more than one, though.

If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain2015, Q4: R2016: SF, n/a, SHM, SHM2017: SHM, n/a, F, R

I really want to submit to Pirates and Ghosts but I have nothing prewritten. Probably not going to make this one.

If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain2015, Q4: R2016: SF, n/a, SHM, SHM2017: SHM, n/a, F, R

I've been poking around Flame Tree Publishing and noticed that they accept novel submissions. I've been trying to find out what novels they've published so I have an idea of what they're looking for, but I haven't been able to find any novels published by them. I know they're new to the speculative fiction scene, but I assume they've at least published a few novels. Anyone have any ideas?

From correspondence with Gillian Whitaker I have ' in the range of 60,000 to 120,000 words – in the realms of SF, fantasy, horror and crime fiction.' Also 'our preference really is for completely new novels, previously unpublished in any form (on the basis that they have already had some exposure in the marketplace). However, if a previously released title is submitted (and as long as the rights are retained by the author), then we may well still consider it.'

Oh, and as noted elsewhere I had an acceptance for Pirates and Ghosts. I'm pleased about that.

I really like both themes. I'm not sure I'll be able to get two submissions done in time, but I'm definitely tempted to try.

If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain2015, Q4: R2016: SF, n/a, SHM, SHM2017: SHM, n/a, F, R

historythatneverwas wrote:I've sent them one for the Lost Souls one, but I've got nothing for the other.

You've got a little under three weeks to write something! Why not try for it? I believe in you.

If a person offend you, and you are in doubt as to whether it was intentional or not, do not resort to extreme measures; simply watch your chance and hit him with a brick. ~ Mark Twain2015, Q4: R2016: SF, n/a, SHM, SHM2017: SHM, n/a, F, R